Post-operative alopecia of the scalp—a rare complication following shoulder surgery

Excerpt

Alopecia following shoulder surgery is very rare, and there were no reported cases in the literature. Post-operative alopecia, also called pressure alopecia, is due to pressure-induced, circumscribed area hair loss, usually after lengthy operative procedures. Prolonged hair follicle ischemia, a result of constant pressure from improper head positioning, is thought to be causative [1]. It is commonly a reversible condition, and in few patients, it can be distressing. Orthopaedic surgeons and anaesthetists need to understand the pathophysiology to correctly identify this condition. Understanding the natural history of the condition will help in employing the right measures to prevent it. We present this rare complication in a 46-year-old lady who underwent an open reduction and internal fixation for proximal humeral fracture. …